WBAL alters talk show Sandusky to do Orioles pre-game, Sher post-game show

Milton KentTHE BALTIMORE SUN

Starting Friday, Channel 11 sports anchor Gerry Sandusky will add the Orioles' pre-game radio talk show on WBAL (1090 AM) to his duties.

Sandusky, 35, will not only be host of "Sports Line" before Orioles games, but also will continue to deliver sports reports on Channel 11 during the same time.

Greg Sher, who took over as "Sports Line" host in January, will now anchor just the post-game talk show and contribute taped reports to the pre-game show. Sandusky and Sher will split the duties on nights the Orioles aren't playing.

"This is a broadcaster's dream," said Sandusky yesterday. "WBAL Radio wants to expand their Orioles coverage, and they came to me to ask if I would be a part of it."

Sandusky, who left a promising career as analyst on Maryland lTC football radio broadcasts earlier this spring to spend more time with his family, said the decision to become host of "Sports Line" was easy because the radio show's hours fall during his normal working hours.

"I'm here [at WBAL studios] anyway. This doesn't take time away from my family. I wasn't going to leave the Terps and try to get something else that would make me leave my family. That's why this was so attractive to me. This falls within my daily work schedule," said Sandusky.

Jeff Beauchamp, WBAL's station manager, said the move was made to increase the station's Orioles coverage with an eye to larger and larger audiences as the season continues.

Both Beauchamp and Sandusky said the change was effective only for the remainder of the baseball season. Beauchamp shrugged off suggestions that the move would be seen as a demotion for Sher, 26, who replaced Josh Lewin after Lewin left to become a television broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs.

"People can think what they want to. Greg is still a part of the team and he'll still be contributing to the broadcasts. We're launching it now and we'll see what happens," said Beauchamp.

Said Sher, "I view this as an opportunity to bring the best fans in baseball more comprehensive coverage of what could be a championship season."

He added that the time he currently spends preparing for each night's show will be used to build more solid relationships with Orioles players.

His taped features on coaches, players and minor-league prospects will air in the spot while Sandusky will be doing his stand-up reports for television.